Temporary floor construction



y 6, 1955 M. JAFFE ETAL 3,192,574

TEMPORARY FLOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 22, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 76 8 76 FIG'Z 7 INVENTOR.

MYRON JAFFE AND LESTER BRICKER ATTORNEY United States Patent C 3,192,574 TEWPURARY FLGGR CONSTRUGIIQN Myron .l'affe and Lester Bricher, University *Qity, Mm,

assignors to Admiral Chair Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Oct. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 231,929 1 Claim. (Cl. 20-8) This invention relates in general to floor construction and, more particularly, to temporary auxiliary flooring adapted for ready assembly and disassembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide temporary flooring which is uniquely adapted for rapid,

easily effected assembly and disassembly which may be accomplished by relatively unskilled personnel; and which when in assembled condition presents a firm, level and attractive surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide temporary flooring which is comprised of a preselected number of a basic component so that any desired floor area may be provided; and which component may have a surface finish on opposite faces and may be of symmetrical character for facile integration into assembly without causing time-consumption in careful relative positioning.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide temporary flooring which may be most economically manufactured; the components of which are adapted for compact stacking when the floor is in disassembly, to facilitate transportation as well as to require minimum storage space; which is adapted for a multiplicity of purposes; and which is reliable and durable in usage.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing (two sheets) wherein- FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of floor constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of a corner portion of the flooring illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a frame element.

FIGURE 9 is aside view of a frame element.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line Iii-10 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a top plan View of a panel unit.

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of the normally outwardly directed edge of a flooring section.

FIGURE 13 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a panel unit connector.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates temporary flooring construction, of auxiliary character for use on existing flooring or other support surfaces, comprising a preselected number of panel units 1 maintained in immediate assembled relation by a retaining frame indicated generally 2. Each panel unit 1 is a square having a thickness in the order of inch and is preferably fabricated of wood, although other suitable materials having desired durability, rigidity and capacity for surface finish may be utilized. It has been found that panel units having a dimension of 3 feet by 3 feet are most convenient. as will be shown hereinbelow, as well as for interchangeability, panel units 1 may be of similar construction with each being-provided throughout the extent of each of its side edges with a mortise or groove 3, located intermediate the height of the related edge, so that the grooves 3 on adjacent panel units 1 will be aligned or open toward each other. Also provided on each side edge of each panel unit 1 is a plurality, desirably a pair, of longitudinally spaced apart cylindrical openings or recesses 4, which are axially normal to, and planarwise aligned with, the adjacent groove 3; but being of greater depth than said grooves.

Provided for effecting interengagement between adjacent panel units 1, for assembly thereof into floor formation, is an elongated connector or key 5, being dimensioned for snug reception within the confronting grooves 3 of proximate panel units 1 and having a width equal to the combined depths of such cooperating grooves where-. by the related edge faces of such panel units may be in' surfacewise abutting relationship as shown in FIGURE 6. Connectors 5 are thus of general strip formation and made of any suitable material, such as wood or the like. Connectors 5 are preferably independent, but it is obviously conceivable that, if desired, a user might fixedly secure,

as by suitable adhesive, a connector 5 within a groove 3 of one panel unit 1 so that the same would then take on the characteristics of a tenon or tongue.

By virtue of the identical character of each panel unit 1, the same may be readily disposed in fioor orsurfaceformation without regard for specific relative positioning. It is obvious that the extent of the flooring desired will dictate the number of panel units 1 to beused so flooring of any area may be obtained. For purposes of illustration, FIGURE 1 discloses a flooring construction A having six such panel units 1, and with respect to the corner units, the two inner edges thereof will be suitably engaged by connectors 5 to the adjacent panel units 1, while. the central panel units 1 in each row will be so engaged on three sides. Obviously in a larger flooring, a completely interior panel unit will be united by connectors 5 on each of its four sides to the surrounding panel units.

With the constituent panel units v1 for flooring A in assembled relationship, as above described, the retaining or stabilizing frame 2 is then applied to secure and maintain the assembledpanel units 1 in an integrated construction, resistant to any undesirable dislocation or displacement of any of such units during usage of the formed surface. Frame 2 is comprised of ,a predetermined number of basic frame elements indicated at 6; there being as many of such elements as requisite for developing a complete embracing structure for the panel units. As shown in FIGURE 1 and for example only, a single element 6 is utilized on each side of the floor construction A. Said elements may be of different length but of like construction; however, for ready assembly, it is preferable that the length of said elements 6 bear a predetermined relationship to the extent of the sides of said panel units 1 or to the combined lengths of any number thereof.

Each frame element 6 comprises a flat, narrow, elongated plate portion 7 on the upper face of which, adjacent its outer edge, is fixed, as by welding, an angle member 8, having a base or horizontal flange 9 and a vertical or upstanding flange Iii; said latter having a height desirably not exceeding the height of panel units 1. The vertical flanges 10 are spaced inwardly from the normally inner edge of the related plate 7 for recepion upon the latter of the outer portions of the underface of the adjacent panel unit 1; with the outer edge of the latter abutting the inner face of the proximate For simplicity of assembly,

flange 13 (see FIGURE 3). of th ir ends are spaced from the adjacent end zone 11 of the related plate portion 7, While at their opposite ends, each angle member 8 projects beyond and hence above the proximate end of said plate portion 7 to define an extension 12 which at its base flange 9 is provided with a pair of spaced apart apertures 13, '13. The end zone 11 of each angle member 8 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced apertures 14, 14'; and with a further aperture 15 which is transversely aligned with the proximate aperture 14. It will be observed that apertures 13, 13, 14, 14' are aligned along the axis of the related angle member 8. i

In the formation of frame 2, extension 12 of one frame element 6 will overlie the end zone 11 of the plate portion 7 of the adjacent frame element 6, so that the apertures 13, 13 of the former will be vertically aligned with the apertures 14, 14' of the latter if the said cooperating units are to be disposed in axially aligned relationship; or with the said apertures 13, 13' of the former being vertically aligned with the apertures 14, 15 of the latter if the said frame elements are to be disposed in axially normal relationship so as to mutually form a frame corner. The said apertures 13, 13', 14, 14' and 15 maybe tapped for threadedly receiving retaining screws 16, to assure/of tight reliable interengagement of the frame elements. FIGURE 2 illustrates the relationship of adjacent frame elements 6 in axially perpendicular or corner-forming relationship. It will thus be seen that frame elements 6 being of like construction are designed for ready, secure connection whether the same are to be axially aligned or axially perpendicular.

In order to enhance the over-all rigidity of floor construction A, there is affixed on the inwardly directed faces .of the vertical flanges 10 a plurality of spaced apart inwardly projecting locating and restraining pins 17, which are receivable in the complementary recesses 4 formed on panel units 1. Accordingly, pins '17 serve to render the resulting floor construction extremely stable.

Frame 2 when in operative position provides a snug fit about the joined panel units 1, with flanges 10 abutting the adjacent panel units to retain same against undesired relative movement or displacement.

From the foregoing, the procedures for assembly and disassembly of floor construction A should be readily apparent and, furthermore, the simplicity and inherent rapidity in effecting such procedures are doubtless quite obvious. As indicated above, panel units 1 may be suitably finished on their upper and lower faces to obviate concern to the manner of presenting same.

The temporary flooring, made in accordance with the present invention, is designed for myriad uses. However, salient among the multiplicity of such potential employments of this invention isthe utilization of same for a dance floor, since panel units 1 may have a surface finish facilitating movement thereacross and the same thereby avoids the necessity of preparing a permanent floor for but a single usage.

Additionally the present invention would have widespread usage .for any type of group meeting or group activity as well as being adapted for utilization pending the completion of a permanent flooring.

Angle members 8 at one The present invention comprises a low component count and with each of such components being quite durable so as to permit longevity of usage and with complete reliability of function. The simple constituent parts of the present invention may be most economically manufactured and can be easily transported as well as stored in minimum space when not in use.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the temporary floor construction may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Temporary flooring construction comprising a plurality of fiat rigid sections arranged in side by side, edgeabutting, surface-aligned relationship, each of said sections having a lengthwise recess in its side edges confronting adjacent sections, and an elongated key member received within the side recesses of adjacent sections for interengagement of said sections, and a rigid frame surrounding the interengaged sections for maintaining same in edge-abutting relationship,-said frame comprising a plurality of frame elements, each of said elements having a flat base plate for underlying adjacent sections and an upstanding flange for snugly abutting the confronting sides of the adjacent sections, each of said sections having a plurality of cylindrical openings, a plurality of cylindrical restraining pins mounted on the inwardly directed face of each of said upstanding flanges, said pins being axially aligned with, and slideably received within, said cylindrical openings in the confronting side edge of the adjacent section, each frame element extending at one end beyond the related upstanding flange and terminating at its other end spacedly from the end of said related upstanding flange whereby the mutual proximate ends of adjacent frame components will be in overlying relationship, and means for securing said frame elements one to the other in the region of their over-lap,

References, Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 405,778 6/89 Jackson 94-27 525,221 8/94 Von Leistner 18934 X 1,027,771 5/12 R'oss 18936 X 1,078,776 11/13 Dunton 2075 1,725,439 8/29 Carns -1 18934 1,968,714 7/34 Schuck 208 2,138,085 11/38 Birtles 206 2,701,396 2/55 Perkins et a1 18936 X 3,040,388 6/62 Conn 206 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,104,493 1'1/55 France.

305,801 2/ 29 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiner. 

